Are Chiropractors legal?
In some countries chiropractic is not legally recognised, or you need a medical degree to practice as a chiropractor. This is despite chiropractic being recognized as a health profession by the World Health Organization (O.M.S.). And chiropractors studying as many hours as medical doctors.
Here in Spain, chiropractic is in a ‘legal vacuum’ and has not been the object of express regulation. As such it is not formally recognised as a health profession. The Spanish Association of Chiropractors (A.E.Q.) in working hard to address this. It has requested the Courts, and Health and Education Ministries, that Parliament promote the legislative process that recognizes the sanitary status of the chiropractic profession.
AEQ members are screened and tested to ensure they are properly trained by a recognised school of chiropractic. So, currently the best way to ensure that you are going to a reputable chiropractor is going to see a chiropractor who is an AEQ member.
Are Chiropractors respected by other professions?
Research shows chiropractic is effective in low back pain, neck pain, headaches and dizziness. So chiropractic is becoming more recognised. Eg. Some research** show that out of all professions, chiropractors have the best results for people that present with dizziness.
Are Chiropractors illegal in some countries? Where are chiropractors banned? Which countries recognise them?
Chiropractors are fully recognised in most developed countries, though some are still lagging behind. Here is a fully list of the status of chiropractic in each country.
I am personally a member of the AEQ (Spanish Association of Chiropractors). I’m registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. (Which controls every health profession (including medical doctors) in Australia.)
** Reference: The Role of Chiropractic Care in the Treatment of Dizziness or Balance Disorders: Analysis of National Health Interview Survey Data. (Ndetan, Hawk, Ka Sekhon) September 11, 2015
Do you need a medical degree to be a chiropractor?
Stefan Becker
Chiropractor